Gladiolus

Gladiolus, commonly called "Glads," produce large, colorful flowers that grow on tall spikes, or stems with sword-shaped leaves. They come in a variety of colors including green, orange, pink, purple, red, salmon, white, and yellow.

Family: Iridaceae
Species: Gladiolus spp.
Origin: South Africa
Symbolizes: Gladiolus means little sword in Latin. They represent strength and integrity. They can also symbolize infatuation.
Also Known As: Sword Lily, Glads

Care, Handling & Design

Temperature: 34-38F (1-3C)
Humidity: 75-85%
Water: Medium water quality. Avoid fluoridated and softened water.
Vase Life: 6-10 days

What to Look for When Purchasing

Ethylene has been shown to cause abortion of unopen florets. Ask if your supplier has treated the product with an ethylene action inhibitor. Avoid stems with brown or shriveled florets. Avoid stems in which foliage exhibits tip burn. Choose spikes that have a few open florets. Flowers should have 1-5 stems showing color.

Foam Info

Performs well

Design Tips

Miniature cultivars available. Gladiolus make excellent line flowers and can provide a lot of height for larger, showy arrangements. In any arrangement, associate with other flowers that have similar vase life characteristics.

Ethylene Sensitivity

Low

Pest & Disease Information

Gladiolus are resilient to diseases post-harvest, except for when exposed to ethylene.

Troubleshooting

Flower fade/translucency due to ethylene and/or high temperatures. Remaining florets do not open due to early harvest, stored too long, extreme temperatures, and/or low humidity. Petal and foliage burning due to excessive fluoride. Avoid fluoridated water. Gladiolus stem ends are prone to developing a biofilm formation when in water due to bacterial growth. Sensitive to leaf yellowing. Use bulb flower food. Store upright if possible as Gladiolus tend to bend and deform.

Product Usage

For optimal care of Gladiolus, please reference the chart of products below. Make sure to select your region to see which products are available.

BreedersGrowersBouquet OperationsTransportersWholesalersFloristsEvent Planners & DesignersSupermarkets & Club StoresEcommerce & DropshippersFlower Enthusiasts
Clean & Disinfect
FloraLife® D.C.D.® Cleaner
FloraLife® D.C.D.® Cleaner
FloraLife® D.L.D. Cleaner
FloraLife® D.L.D. Cleaner 
FloraLife® Floral Cleaner
FloraLife® Floral Cleaner 
FloraLife® Cleaner
FloraLife® Cleaner  
FloraLife® Cleaner Plus
FloraLife® Cleaner Plus   
FloraLife® STRIP-IT® Cleaner
FloraLife® STRIP-IT® Cleaner        
Hydrate
FloraLife® Express Clear 100
FloraLife® Express Clear 100       
FloraLife HydraFlor® 100
FloraLife HydraFlor® 100      
Floralife® Hydraflor Clear Ultra 100
Floralife® Hydraflor Clear Ultra 100      
FloraLife® Hydrate Hydrangea
FloraLife® Hydrate Hydrangea          
FloraLife® Hydrate Plus 100
FloraLife® Hydrate Plus 100        
FloraLife® Hydrate Universal 100
FloraLife® Hydrate Universal 100        
FloraLife® PRG
FloraLife® PRG 
FloraLife® Quick Dip
FloraLife® Quick Dip    
Treat
EthylBloc™ Tablet
EthylBloc™ Tablet     
EthylBloc™ Truck Kit
EthylBloc™ Truck Kit    
FloraLife® EthylGuard 100
FloraLife® EthylGuard 100        
FloraLife® EthylGuard ULTRA 100
FloraLife® EthylGuard ULTRA 100        
FloraLife® Calla Lily 100
FloraLife® Calla Lily 100          
FloraLife® Shield ULTRA
FloraLife® Shield ULTRA        
FloraLife® Tulipa 100
FloraLife® Tulipa 100       
Store & Transport
FloraLife® 200
FloraLife® 200   
FloraLife® Clear 200
FloraLife® Clear 200   
FloraLife® Clear ULTRA 200
FloraLife® Clear ULTRA 200   
FloraLife® Clear 200 eZ Dose®
FloraLife® Clear 200 eZ Dose®   
FloraLife® Clear Rose 200
FloraLife® Clear Rose 200          
FloraLife® Express 200 eZ Dose®
FloraLife® Express 200 eZ Dose®   
FloraLife® Express Clear 200
FloraLife® Express Clear 200   
FloraLife® Bouquet Wrap
FloraLife® Bouquet Wrap   
Feed
FloraLife Crystal Clear®
FloraLife Crystal Clear®      
FloraLife Crystal Clear® ULTRA
FloraLife Crystal Clear® ULTRA      
FloraLife® Clear 300
FloraLife® Clear 300      
FloraLife® Express Universal 300
FloraLife® Express Universal 300      
FloraLife® Express ULTRA 300
FloraLife® Express ULTRA 300      
FloraLife® Floral Foam Food 300
FloraLife® Floral Foam Food 300      
FloraLife® Flower Food 300
FloraLife® Flower Food 300      
FloraLife® Rose Food Clear 300
FloraLife® Rose Food Clear 300      
FloraLife® Special Blend 300
FloraLife® Special Blend 300      
Finish
FloraLife® Clear Crowning Glory
FloraLife® Clear Crowning Glory   
FloraLife® ForEver Green
FloraLife® ForEver Green          
FloraLife® HydroSpray
FloraLife® HydroSpray    
FloraLife® LeafShine
FloraLife® LeafShine   
FloraLife® LeafShine Silicone Free
FloraLife® LeafShine Silicone Free   
Dose
FloraLife® Blend Center
FloraLife® Blend Center 
FloraLife® Aquablend Injector
FloraLife® Aquablend Injector 
FloraLife® QuickMix Handheld Dosing System
FloraLife® QuickMix Handheld Dosing System
Customer Care
FloraLife® Express Universal 300 Packets
FloraLife® Express Universal 300 Packets  
FloraLife Crystal Clear® Packets
FloraLife Crystal Clear® Packets  
FloraLife® Universal 300 Packets
FloraLife® Universal 300 Packets  
FloraLife® Flower Food 300 Packets
FloraLife® Flower Food 300 Packets  
FloraLife® Rose Food Clear 300 Packets
FloraLife® Rose Food Clear 300 Packets  
FloraLife® Express Universal 300 Flower Food Recyclable Paper Packets
FloraLife® Express Universal 300 Flower Food Recyclable Paper Packets  
FloraLife® Express Universal 300 Flower Food Improved Moisture Barrier Recyclable Paper Packets
FloraLife® Express Universal 300 Flower Food Improved Moisture Barrier Recyclable Paper Packets  
Fresh-Cut Flower Care Kit
Fresh-Cut Flower Care Kit         
FloraLife® Surface Cleaner
FloraLife® Surface Cleaner         
FloraLife® Quick Dip
FloraLife® Quick Dip         
FloraLife® Flower Food
FloraLife® Flower Food         
FloraLife® Finishing Touch Spray
FloraLife® Finishing Touch Spray